Concerned Citizens

The Dallas Morning News reported yesterday that Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has endorsed Rick Perry in his bid for re-election as governor of the state of Texas calling him the “true conservative.” The endorsement came in a letter sent to 10,500 members of the Texas Federation of Republican Women who, according to the article, have been crucial in the past to the support of US Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. Hutchison is planning a challenge to Gov. Perry’s re-election bid in 2010.

“He walks the walk of a true conservative. And he sticks by his guns – and you know how I feel about guns,” she said. Palin cited Perry’s opposition to abortion rights and the federal bailout plan as examples of his conservative nature, two key issues Perry is expected to challenge Sen. Hutchison on during the election. Hutchison supports abortion rigths with restrictions and has expressed guarded support to the bailout plan.

In the article Taffy Goldsmith, past president of the organization, said that Palin’s endorsement probably will not have much effect. ”There is a lot of admiration for Governor Palin and what she has done both in her own state and to energize the party,” Goldsmith said. “But women in this organization are so state-oriented and so well-grounded they will base their decisions on what they know, not what somebody else recommends.”

Even so, it does signal the tone of a potential showdown between the two Republicans during the Republican primary season. As it stands now, whoever wins that primary has a strong shot at the top state office. Democrats have yet to field a candidate strong enough to challenge a well recognized and financed GOP contender.

Perry’s decision to court the conservative GOP vote could backfire as Texas appears to be shifting back to the center in politics. Paul Burka of Texas Monthly wrote extensively about Gallup Poll data that signaled the shift in voter attitude. While Burka concludes that even with that polling data Texas will probably not shift to becoming a blue state it does show that voters are not as conservative as in years past and would possibly lean towards a moderate Republican for the top seat.

Regardless, it is highly possible Texans could enjoy the entertainment of the colorful GOP VP candidate of the 2008 election as she stumps for Perry in the days leading up to the 2010 election. If Palin’s unavailable due to her own campaign they could always hire Tina Fey to substitute.